Method and apparatus for decorticating nuts



June 26, 1923;

H. WARREN METHOD AND hummus FOR DEGORTICA'I'ING um's Original FiledApril 12 1920 WITNESSES ATTORNEYS Patented June 26, 1923.

HALL WARREN, OF GALVES TON, TEXAS.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING NUTS.

Original application filed April 12, 1920, Serial No.

373,303. Divided and this application, filed Ink 7,

1920, Serial No. 394,560. Renewed January 12,1823. Serial No. 519,789.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HALL WARREN, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of Galveston, in the county ofGalveston and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements in Methods and Apparatus for ecorticating Nuts, of which thefollowing is a specification,

The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus fordecorticating nuts, and is particularly adapted for use with palm orcohune nuts, and constitutes the subject- I matter of this applicationwhich is a divisional application of my application, Serial Number373,303, filed April 12, 1920.

The nuts of the palm or cohunevarieties embody a kernel or meat whichhas comparatively high commercial value, because of the high grade oilwhich it contains. The

kernel however is completely, though loosely, encased in a hard shell,and the shell .is covered by a huskor outer layer of fibrous structure.Both the shell and the husk are of strong and tough structure, butneither open when; the nut is ripe. The difiiculties encountered inremoving the husk and'shell have prevented recovery of the oil on acommercial scale, especially so as it is necessary to effect thisremoval without injury to the .kernel, for the oil contained in thekernel will become rancid if exposed to the air, as when the integument"of the kernel is broken.

Theobject of this invention is to provide 5 forthe complete removal ofthe'husk as a step? toward rendering the kernel of the nut available forthe uses to which it may be fI n-Icarrying out the invention, there isprovided a husker to which the nuts are fed .sirji'gly; and whichcompletely removes the husksfl'and then disafssociates the husks fromthe nuts. v

The problem of breaking down or removf ing the husk without injury tothe nut presentsispecial ,difliculties and necessitates a peculiartreatment of the nuts. In the a'ct,

or series of acts,which constitute this treatn n han the ends,

ment resides the method which is to be here- 'inafter more fullydescribed and particularly pointed out in the appended c aims.

Other objects and advantages of the invention reside in the certainnovel features of the construction, arrangement and com bination ofparts as will be hereinafter more them circumferentially fully describedand particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken through the huskerand associated structure;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the rotary cutter of the husker;

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section of the relatively stationarycutter or abutment of the husker;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of therotary element of thehusker on line as-a: of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a similar view on line y-y of Figure 2. V The method ofdecorticating the nuts contemplated by the present invention has for itsobject the removal of the outer fibrous husk. The removal of the fibroushusk is accomplished by severing the husk structure along linesextending longitudinally of the nut, and simultaneously prying thesevered portions radially of the nut and twisting with respect thereto.The first step, that is, the severing along longitudinal lines isaccomplished by a cutting action exerted by blades or kniveswh1chpenetrate the husk structure. The second step, that is the prying of thesevered portions radiall overlaps or immedi- .ately follows the first,and is efiected by an outward thrust exerted by abeveled surface formedon the knives or blades. The third and final step consists in twistingthe severed portions circumferentially with respect to the nut.Thistwisting action is brought about by impartin movement of a greaterlinear velocity to 518 center of each of the severed portions, then tothe ends thereof, this movement being the result of applying a. forcewhich acts throughout the circumferential extent of the husk,tending toroll the same. As the central portion of the nut is of greater diameter.than the ends, the center will revolve at a greater rate of and the huskhaving been cut loose will be twisted'circumferentiall with respect tothe nut. T e improved method will perhaps be better understood byconsidering it in conjunction with the apparatus which embodies 1t as afeature.

The apparatus contemplated by 'my in- 110 vention consists of a framedesi ated gen:

the form of a whee 30 which is mounted- Jupon one end of the main shaft31. The

rota

Y perip ery slotted transversely to receive the inserted blades orknives 32 as shown in detail in Figures 12 and 13. The ends of theblades 32 are reduced and notched as shown at 32 and a retaining ri g orbinding of wires .33 serves to retain t e blades in position in theslots. It is to. be noted that the wheel is notched correspondingly withthe blades, and in this manner lateral as well as radial movementisrevented. Each 7 of the bladeshas formedt ereon a beveled wall aclearly shown in Fi 're 3." A rela-' tively stationary cutter or autment cooperates with the rotary cutter in removing the husks from thenut. This stationary cutter r abutment comprises a housing of se Vmediate beam 15, whereiy; supported in 36 are secure I mental form andextending fully approximately' 180 and consists aback wall 34 and sidewalls 34', the housing adjacent the rotary cutter being open.The-sidewalls 34' carry foot lugs 35, see Figure 3, which are secured byany suitable fastening means to one of the beams I2 and the adjacentinterthe housing is osition. gmental flanges in any suitable manner ormay be formed integralwith the interior of each of the 'de walls 34',and these flanges constitute means for hmiting the movement of thecutter segments 37 toward the rotarg cutter. These cutter segmentsalll'e linke f d be t t e upper one o sai I segments ing pivo allysecured to a cross head in the form of an an le iron 38 which is'carriedby the upper end of the housing. The cross head 38 t us serves to securethe cutter segments against movement in the direction of rotation of therotary cutter.

As seen in Figure 11, the ends of the cutter segments are reduced andabut against the flanges 36 to limit the radial movement of the segmentstoward the rotar cutter, while the cutting faces 39 forme on thesegments project between the flanges toward the rotary cutter. The lowerend of the cutter segments carry a shackle 40' to which is secured aretractile coil spring 40 which resiliently resists the motion of thecutter" segments in the direction opposite to the direction of rotationof the rotary cutter; the space betweenthe back wall of the housing andthe rear of the cutter segcutter comprises a wheel having its to eachother as shown at 37',

a husker for removing the outer mehts, a pneumatic tube 42 is arrangedand when inflated, resiliently opposes radial movement of the cutter seents away from .the rotary cutter. Inp ace of the pneumatic tube anysuitable cushioning means may be provided. When the nuts are deliveredfrom the chute 29, they are received upon the rotary cutter 30 and arecarried into engagement with the cutting faces 39 of the stationarycutter. The blades of the rotary' cutter and the cutting faces of thestationary cutter then bite into the husks of the nut, and penetratesthe same to sever the husk structure along lines extending substantiallylofigitudinally'of the nut. As the cutter 30 revolves it rollsthe nutabout its longitudinal axis with it, and after the husk is severed thebeveled surfaces A of the blades 32 ry the severed portions of the huskradia 1y from the nut. Moreover, as both stationary cutter and therotary cutter enga the nut entirely throughout its longitu inal extent,and as the central portion of the nut is of greater diameter thantheends', the. central portion will be revolved with greater. velocitythan the end portions, thus twisting the severed husk portion andeffecting a complete disassociation.

The disassociated husks and nuts are received in the hopper 43 whichopens into the flue 44 of a suitable separator (not shown) forsegregatin the nuts.

The main shaft 31 o the husker is driven by pulley 110 mounted on oneend thereof from any suitable source of power, such as a gasolineengine, electric motor or other power plant.

I claim: L

1. In an apparatus for decorticatin nuts, a husker for removing theouter fibrous layer comprising a rotary cutter and a flexible stationarycutter cooperatin with said rotary cutter to efiect the removzfof thehusks consisting of a housing having an open-end adjacent the rotarycutter, a plurality of cutter segments linked to each other and disposedin said housing, flanges secured to the side wall of said housing tolimitthe movement of said cutter segments toward said rotary cutter, across head car-r ried by the upper end of said housing and connected tosaid cutter segments to hold them against movement in the direction ofrotation of said cutter, a pneumatic tube for resiliently resistingthemovement of said cutter segments away from said rotary cutter, and aretractile coil spring for maintaining'said cutter segments against saidflanges and resiliently resisting motion ter segments in the directionop osite to the rotation of said rotar cutter, ail the, purposes setforth: 3

2. In an apparatus for decorticatin nuts, 7 brous layer of the nut anddisassociating the husk of said cut-- as and for from the nut,comprising a rotary cutter having a plurality of transversely extendingblades carried by its periphery, a flexible stationary cutter consistingof a plurality of cutter segments linked to each other and havingcutting faces adapted to cooperate withthe rotary cutter, means forsecuring i a husker for removing the outer the cutter segments againstmovement in the direction of rotation of said rotary cutter, means forlimiting the rotary movement of said cutter se cuts toward said rotarycutter, and cus iioning means .for resiliently resisting the movement ofsaid cutter segments away from said rotary cutter, and spring means forurging said cutter segments against said limiting means and forresiliently resisting the motion of said segments in the directionopposite to the direction of rotation of said rotary cutter, all as andfor the purposes set forth.

3. In an apparatus for decorticatin nuts, a husker for removing theouter brous layer, comprising a cutter, a flexible stationary cutterconsisting of a plurality of cutter segments linked to each other andhaving cutting faces adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter toeffect the removal of said husks, means for securing the cutter segmentsagainst movement in the direction of rotation of said rotary cutter,means for limiting the radial movement of said cutter segments towardsaid cylinder, cushioning means for resiliently resisting the movementof said cutter segments away from said rotary cutter, and spring meansfor urging said cutter segments against limiting means and forresiliently resisting the motion of said segments in the directionopposite to the direction of rotation of said rotary cutter, all as andfor the purposes set forth.

4. In an apparatus for decorticating nuts, brous layer, comprising acutter, a flexible stationary cutter consisting of a plurality of cuttersegments linked to each other and having cutting faces adapted tocooperate with the rotary cutter to effect the removal of said husks,means for securin the cutter segments against movement in t e directionof rotation of said rotary cutter, cushioning means for resilientlyresisting the movement of said ,cutter segments away from said rotarycutter, and spri means for urging said cutter segments against limitingmeans and for resiliently resisting the motion of said segments in thedirection opposite to the direction of rotation of said rotary cutter,all as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In an apparatus for decorticating1 nuts, a husker for removing theouter brous layer, comprising a cutter, a flexible stationary cutterconsisting of a plurality of cutter segments linked to each other andhaving cutting faces adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter toefi'ect the removal of said husks, means for securing the cuttervsegments agalnst movement in the direction tionary cutter consisting ofa plurality of cutter segments linked to each other and having cuttingfaces adapted to cooperate wlth the rotary cutter to effect the removalof said husks, means for securing the cutter segments against movementin the direction of rotation of said rota cutter, cushioning means forresiliently resisting the movement of said cutter segments away fromsaid rota cutter.

7. 11 an apparatus for decorticating nuts,

a husker for removing the outer fibrous layer comprising a rotarycutter, and a flexible abutment to effect removal of the husksconslstlng of a housing having an open end adjacent the rotary cutter, aplurality of cutter segments linked to each other and disposed in saidhousing, and a pneumatic tube'arranged between said cutter se ments andsaid housin for resiliently resisti the movement of said cutter segmentsaway rom said rotary cutter.

8. In an apparatus for deeorticating nuts, a husker for removing theouter fibrous layer comprising a rotary cutter and a flexible abutmenteoactin with said rotary cutter to efi'ect removal ot the husksconsisting of a housing having an open end adjacent the rotary cutter, aplurality of cutter segments linked to each other and disposed in saidhousin flanges secured to saidhousing to limit t e movement of saidcutter segments toward said rotary cutter, and cushioning meansarranged'between said cutter segments and said housing for resilientlyresistin the movement of said cutter segments away rom said rotartycutter, all as and for the purposes set 0 h 9. In an apparatus fordecorticating nuts, a husker for removing the outer fibrous layercomprising a rotary cutter and a flexible abutment coa'cting with thesaid rotary cutter to effect removal of the husks consisting of ahousing having an open end adjacent said rotary cutter, a plurality ofcutter segments linked to each other and disposed in said housing, across head carried by the upper end of said housing and connected tosaid cutter segments to hold them against movement in the direction ofrotation of said cutter, a pneumatic tube arranged between said cuttersections and said housin for resiliently resisting the movement of saidcutter segments away from said rotary cutter, and means for resilientlresisting the motion of said so ents in a irection opposite to thedirection of the rotation of said rotary cutter, all as. and for thepurposes set forth.

- 10. In an apparatus for deoorticatin nuts, a husker for. removing theouter brous layer, and a flexible. abutment coacting with said rotarycutter to effect the removal of the husks consisting of a housing havinganopen end adjacent the cutter, a plurality of cutter segments linked toeach other and disposed in said housing, flanges secured to the sidewall of said housing to limit the movement of said cutter segmentstoward said rotary cutter, across head carried'by v the u per end ofsaid housin and connected to said cutter segments to ho d them againstmovement in the direction of rotation of said rotary cutter, and apneumatic tube arran d between said cutter segments and said ousing forresiliently resistingthe movement of said cutter segments away frommovement of said cutter segments toward said rotary cutter, a cross headcarried by the upper end of said housing and connected to sa d cuttersegments to hold them against movement in the direction of rotation ofsaid rotary cutter, and a retractile coil spring for maintaining saidcutter segments against said flanges and for resiliently resistingmotion of said cutter segments away from said flanges, all as and forthe Eurposes set forth.

c LWABREN.

